7pm and 9pm Singapore TV heartthrobs we haven’t seen in a while

Desmond Shen

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You might remember him from: Pretty Faces (1991), The Little Nyonya (2008), The Journey: A Voyage (2013)

What he’s up to now:

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Desmond Shen was a familiar face on Channel 8 dramas from the late ’80s to early ’90s. After stepping away from showbiz, he went through some tough times with business setbacks and personal challenges. But he bounced back, focusing on writing and promoting natural health therapies alongside his wife.
In 2023, he made a surprise return in the drama Silent Walls, proving he still has the acting chops though he’s keeping things low-key and isn’t rushing back to the spotlight full-time.

Collin Chee

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You might remember him from: Dr Justice II (1995), The Teochew Family (1995), I Not Stupid 3 (2024)

After leaving showbiz in 1996, Collin Chee spent years away from the spotlight, helping out with his ex-wife’s family business and living in Indonesia. He and his wife of 22 years, with whom he has four children, divorced in 2019.

These days, Collin runs an online durian community, Spikes of Love, with his two sons.

At 57, he returned to acting, starring as a wealthy playboy in the 2024 film King of Hawkers. The same year, he also appeared in the local movie AI Strives To Win, which explores how artificial intelligence impacts everyday Singaporeans.

Ix Shen

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You might remember him from: Tofu Street (1996), The Return of the Condor Heroes (1998), A Promise for Tomorrow (2005)

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, former actor Ix Shen, 52, has spent time both in Singapore and Ukraine, where his wife Natalia runs a traditional Chinese medicine clinic supporting locals affected by the war.

He’s been involved in humanitarian work, shared regular updates from the ground, and released a memoir in 2024, Impressions Of An Invasion – A Correspondent In Ukraine, chronicling his experiences.

Sean Say

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7/30

You might remember him from: The Winning Team (1990), A Time To Dance (1991)

Former heartthrob Sean Say may have stepped away from the spotlight, but he’s still fondly remembered by fans  and clearly by his old co-stars too. In 2023, he popped up on Instagram in a sweet reunion post with longtime friend and co-star Chen Xiuhuan, sending waves of nostalgia through ’90s drama lovers.

Though he’s kept a low profile since leaving acting, Sean’s recent catch-ups with familiar faces like Chew Chor Meng and shoutouts from celebs like Terence Cao and Christopher Lee prove that his leading man charm hasn’t been forgotten.

Jason Oh

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You might remember him from: The Dragons Five (1995), Around People’s Park (1998) Wok of Life (1999)

Once a familiar face on Channel 8 dramas in the ‘90s and early 2000s, Jason Oh, also known as Qin Wei, has since transitioned into a quieter yet creatively fulfilling life as a full-time artist. After leaving showbiz over a decade ago to join his family’s shipping business, he gradually shifted focus to his first love: painting.

Now 58, Jason shares his work through his Art Live Facebook page and Instagram @jason_qinwei, producing contemporary pieces inspired by everyday life, nature, people’s behaviour and meditative moments. 

Though art has become his main pursuit, Jason still dips back into acting occasionally. In recent years, he appeared in the local movie Untold Secrets, and was part of the Sibay Shiok livestream quartet with fellow veterans Terence Cao, Peter Yu, and Collin Chee. Jason has a 32-year-old daughter from a previous marriage who has expressed interest in acting.

Thomas Ong

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You might remember him from: Strange Encounters III (1995), Oh Dad! (2004), The Illusionist (2010)

Earlier this year, Thomas Ong made a rare return to television with I Believe I Can Fly, his first drama since Super Dad in 2020. The 56-year-old stars alongside Chen Hanwei, Brandon Wong, Cavin Soh and Yao Wenlong as a group of middle-aged men reassessing their lives after the death of a friend. Despite initial hesitation about his appearance and being “rusty” after a five-year break, Ong prepared for the role with laser treatments, exercise, and Chinese herbal medicine and clearly, the effort paid off.

Vincent Ng 

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You might remember him from: Legend of the Eight Immortals (1998), Heartlanders (2022), My Mighty-in-Laws (2004)

Known for his chiselled physique and breakout roles in the ’90s and early 2000s, former actor and SEA Games wushu champion Vincent Ng may have left Mediacorp in 2007, but he never stepped away from the spotlight completely.

In 2022, he signed a two-year contract with media company 8028 Holdings, marking a comeback to acting with the local action film Deleted, which premiered across Singapore and the region in late 2022 after pandemic-related delays. 

He and his wife Mei Ling, who share a love for hiking and fitness, welcomed their first child—a son—in 2018.  

Robin Leong

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You might remember him from: Under One Roof (1995), Triple Nine (1995), A War Diary (2001)

Best known as Inspector Sean Han in the hit 1990s crime drama Triple Nine, former actor and martial artist Robin Leong has traded in his badge and screen roles for life as a children’s book author and martial arts educator.

Now based between Singapore and Seattle, the 53-year-old father of two released his debut children’s book The Kung Fu Force And The Tower of Doom through local publisher Epigram in 2020. The series, inspired by his own kids Lucas and Brady, features animal characters who save the world with gongfu – a nod to both Leong’s martial arts roots and his father, Grandmaster John S.S. Leong, who opened one of the first public gongfu schools in the U.S. back in 1963.

James Lye

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You might remember him from: Triple Nine (1995), The Price of Peace (1997), VR Man (1998)

Although he left acting in 1998, Lye, now 56, remains a familiar face to many Singaporeans who remember his breakout roles in VR Man, Triple Nine, and The Price of Peace. He won Most Popular Newcomer at the 1997 Star Awards.

He is married to veteran TV host Diana Ser, and the couple share three children. Lye officially joined Standard Chartered in 2022.

Andrew Seow

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19/30

You might remember him from: Growing Up (1996), My Genie 2 (2003) Zero to Hero (2005)

Best remembered for his rebellious role as Gary in Growing Up (1996–2001), Andrew Seow has traded TV scripts for real-life service. Now 55, he works as an auxiliary police officer with Aetos. The career switch was inspired by his father, who had served in the same line of work during the British colonial era. 

Jeff Wang

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You might remember him from: Holland Village (2003), A Toast of Love (2003), Double Happiness (2004) 

A familiar face on Singapore screens in the 2000s, Holland V baddie Jeff Wang has spent the past decade building his life and career back in Taiwan and he added a new title to his name: Master’s graduate. Last year, the 48-year-old received his Master’s degree in Communications Management from Shih Hsin University, where he was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award alongside fellow actress Vicky Tseng.

After returning to Taiwan in 2009, Jeff continued acting in long-running local dramas and also ventured into F&B, opening PS Sake Bar. 

Wang, who is protective of his 17-year-old son’s privacy, relocated with him to Taiwan after his separation from his Singaporean wife.

Peter Yu

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You might remember him from: Tofu Street (1996), Around People’s Park (1998), Hero (2016)

Once a familiar face on Channel 8, Star Awards finalist Peter Yu left Mediacorp in 2000 to explore life beyond acting, dabbling in everything from selling cars and property to working as a taxi driver… and even spending three years as a full-time football gambler, a period he’s openly spoken about. After a series of ups and downs, Peter gradually returned to the screen. His comeback role in A Land Imagined (2018) garnered international acclaim, and he’s since appeared in Fried Rice Paradise and the local monster flick Circle Line. Now remarried with two young sons, Peter has given up his taxi license and is back doing what he loves, acting, this time with more life experience under his belt.

Zhang Shuifa

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You might remember him from: Teahouse in Chinatown (1988), Sweet Dreams (1990), Battle of Justice (1993)

After more than 30 years in showbiz, Zhang Shuifa was ready to retire and settle quietly in Melaka. But thanks to longtime friend Terence Cao, he made a surprise comeback in Jack Neo’s CNY movie I Want To Be Boss earlier this year.

John Hong

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You might remember him from: Journey’s End (1990), Secret Operations (1991) 

John Hong, once tipped to be a rising SBC star in the early ’90s, abruptly left the local showbiz scene in 1992 following a sex scandal that shook the industry. Despite denying the allegations, he resigned and returned to his birthplace, Hong Kong, hoping to reboot his career. However, his acting journey never quite took off, and he has stayed out of the spotlight since.

Lin Mingzhe

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You might remember him from: The Coffee Shop (1985), Son of Pulau Tekong (1985), The Sword and the Song (1986) 

The actor-turned-director officially retired from showbiz in early 2023. A true industry pioneer, Mingzhe first joined SBC as an assistant producer before unexpectedly stepping into acting, eventually making his mark behind the camera too. His directorial works include Beyond (2012) and Soul Reaper (2016).